Water

a whitewashed rowboat-
dark supple fingers lightly
crease the still water
–
concentric rings-
arrhythmic
dripping

an inverted sky
the image of autumn clouds
broken by a fish
–
fall rain-
ripples spread across
a hidden pond

heavy water jugs-
her small bare feet unwashed and
calloused from the road
–
the rivers edge-
awaiting her turn
in the water

gentle drops of rain
fall from the trees to collect
on my upturned face
–
quiet water-
minnows surface
beneath my shadow

seeking atonement-
clad in fresh linens, walking
down to the water
–
dusty winds-
a lake of bricks
cracking in the sun

tumbling down hill
chatting and laughing aloud
running to the sea
–
freshly frozen-
on the lake shore
crackled glass

after images
through the rain streaked windowpanes
impending thunder
–
mountain stream
a whisper of
quiet nonsense